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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

My Second Career . . . as a chef by Avery Aames

Avery Aames is the author of A Cheese Shop Mystery series. The first, The Long Quiche Goodbye, is a national bestseller. Avery is an Agatha Award nominee for “Best First Novel.” Avery blogs at Mystery Lovers Kitchen, http://www.mysteryloverskitchen - a blog for foodies who love mysteries. And some of her characters show up at Killer Characters, http://killercharacters.com Visit Avery at her website: http://www.averyaames.com to read a sneak preview, see her book trailer, find recipes, and more.

My second career…as a chefby Avery Aames

No one ever told me when I became a writer that in addition to spending time in my writing office, I’d also be spending a lot of time in a different office…the kitchen. I spent years writing novels in my office, in the library, in coffee shops, but I never had an inkling that much of my time as a writer would wind up in the kitchen. I cooked as a girl. A lot. I catered at one point in my life and I waitressed in restaurants and worked in restaurant and camp kitchens. But not once did I consider becoming a professional cook and devising recipes every week. That wasn’t in my purview.

And yet here I am. I write A Cheese Shop Mystery series, so cooking is part of my research. Oooh, do I love research. I’ve visited cheese shops in numerous states. I’ve tasted over a hundred different cheeses in the past year and a half (since I started writing the series)--cheeses like Tuscan Tartufo, Brebis d’Argental, Abbaye de Belloc, and more. And I’m adding cheese to tons of recipes.

Why? Because my protagonist Charlotte Bessette offers different samplings of food at Fromagerie Bessette in addition to her gourmet cheeses, so I try to emulate her. I’ve created a Ham and Pineapple Quiche as well as an Asparagus quiche that (my husband and a few fans have told me) are to die for.

Actually, I’ve been making lots of fondue of late, since the book coming out May 3rd is titled LOST AND FONDUE.

Of course, taste testing everything I make means that I have to exercise more because I’m eating more. It’s like a vicious circle or a rat caught in a maze, which probably goes along with the cheese theme, right?

Now, some might ask, with all the cooking, when do I have time to write? I make time. I can’t not write. I love to write. I love creating new characters, new plots. I just turned in book 3 in the series, and I’m working on book 4 as well as writing short stories while coming up with other new ideas for series. Titles, you ask? CLOBBERED BY CAMEMBERT and TO BRIE OR NOT TO BRIE. Cheese-y, I know.

Question of the day: If you’re a writer, what’s your snack of choice while writing? If you’re a reader, what’s your snack of choice while reading? And do books about food make you hungry?

Three commenters today will win an autographed copy of THE LONG QUICHE GOODBYE. So make sure we have your email. Good luck. And don’t forget to check out the rest of my blog tour, which is entered on the event calendar on my website.

Snacking is my hardest thing to avoid, but it seems I can't avoid it all the time. Sometimes I like chocolate, sometimes salty, but I try and stick with unsalted nuts. Gives me some protein without as much salt and fat. As for cheese, I like it with meals rather than as a snack, unless someone puts it out on a buffet, then I *always* take some. My favorite dish with cheese is fettuccini alfredo, with shrimp if possible, otherwise with chicken. Oy!

I eat anything while reading.I enjoy alone time every other morning. (I have dialysis 3 times a week, so I eat breakfast before I go)I love the spinach and artichoke quiche at Panera Bread, so that is my morning indulgement. I also snack on sliced meats and cheese rolls for the extra protein. BTW, can't wait for the next installment from Fromage Bessette. I am friends with a woman who is French and has learned English in the last 25 years or so, so your book has bitten me and she is teaching me some words in French. =)

Stopped by to say hello and how much I'm looking forward to the next book! The first one had me reading with a note pad to write down interesting cheeses to try! Don't enter me in the contest since I've preordered the book so it should be here soon.

Doreen, isn't it funny the things we learn as a child and adhere to, to this day?

Kuzlin, you snack on my husband's favorite snack! :)

April, popcorn. Love popcorn. With Parmesan on top? A fabulous treat. [A little greasy for turning book pages, though, don't you think? Need a napkin nearby. I can manage a napkin.]

Hank, while your chicken sounds delicious [adore pesto], I'm not sure I could eat that while reading. All the knife up, knife down action. OTOH, if I cut it into bites beforehand and eat bite by bite at a table (which I am known to do a lot, especially while traveling) perfect.

Your question forced me into a confession, Avery. I'm addicted to bubble gum and always have a piece or two in my mouth when I write. Even now. Could be a "keeping the juices flowing" thing? I know I'm on a roll when the gum loses all flavor and I don't care.

Most of my reading is done on the elliptical at the gym in the morning (no snacks there) or while I'm eating lunch and dinner at home. If the chapter doesn't end before I finish my turkey sandwich or dinner lasagna, I have to keep reading.

After reading about your kitchen adventures, I think lunch today will be grilled cheese. (Yes, you made me 'say cheese'!)

Best of luck on the new release and fingers crossed for an Agatha win!

I never eat when I'm reading. If I did I would be eating all the time! lol I do love to find new recipes though when I read. I'm looking forward to reading this series. It sounds like something I would enjoy.mittens0831 at aol dot com

Hi, Nancy. One of my all-time FAVORITE snacks is apples and cheese. {I sneak them into the movies!} I actually based one of my "favorite" recipes on that, as well. A cheddar cheese apple pie. I put the recipe on my website. (There's a gluten-free version, as well.)

My first choice of a snack is potato chips but not while reading ... the book would be a mess. So something like grapes which don't leave you with sticky fingers. Reading one of your books it would have to be fruit & cheese.

IT'S ALL RELATIVE

WOMEN'S SPACES WOMEN'S PLACES

CLOTHES LINES from 75 Western North Carolina Women Writers

CLOTHES LINES from 75 Western North Carolina Women Writers

I'm a lover of words and a lover of images.

The photos you see in the blog posts were mostly shot by me or by husband Donald. Or, they're old family photos - a lovely little benefit of being a part of families who recognized the beauty of preserving our history through photography.

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Books Read

Every year I promise myself I'm going to keep a log of books I'm reading. And I immediately forget. Then I remember again, but only after I've already read a few books, but can't be sure I'll remember them all and so - - can't bring myself to start the list. It's sort of like missing the first 30 minutes of a movie. I just can't watch it if I've missed the beginning. And being the anal ol' soul I am, I can't bring myself to start a list if I can't be sure it's going to be a complete one.So.I decided to keep a list during 2010 and found it to be a fun thing. Especially for a compulsive list-maker like myself.

FTC Disclosure Notice

FTC has a regulation which went into effect in December, 2009 which says, basically - "Amateur Bloggers to Disclose Freebies or Be Fined." Significantly fined. So. Since I happen to be an amateur blogger who sometimes receives free books, here's my required FTC Disclosure Notice: Dear FTC - Regarding review copies of books obtained for this blog. No other compensation is accepted beyond review copies of books - ever. When I do write a review, or opinion, the source of the book cited will be disclosed in the post in which the review/opinon appears. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.